Illicit Networks in Guatemala’s Congress : The Criminal Subversion of Democracy
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2025 |
| Type | Chapter of a book |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Attached files | |
| Description | Guatemala’s political system has increasingly shifted toward autocracy, with illicit politico-economic networks (RPEIs) securing significant influence in Congress. These networks control approximately 30% of congressional votes since 2012. This chapter examines how RPEIs operate in Congress through three interconnected processes: political accumulation via reelection, party switching, and clientelism; economic enrichment through vote-selling, misappropriation of public resources, and illicit campaign financing; and impunity secured through judicial co-optation and legislative privileges. Despite public opposition to corruption, these networks remain deeply entrenched, limiting prospects for democratic reform and increasing the risk of institutional erosion and social discontent. |
| Related projects: |